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GI Joe commands box office

by Shirley Jahad

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“G.I. Joe” commands the lead at the box office this weekend. KPCC’s Shirley Jahad has more.

Paramount’s G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra charged forward bringing in more than $56 million domestically. Hollywood studio execs say the military movie may save the day at the slumping summer box office. It drew more than $44 million in overseas ticket sales.

So that adds up to more than $100 million for its opening weekend. And all of it comes without the traditional Hollywood marketing machine. Paramount targeted conservative regions of the country using internet marketing.

In a solid second this weekend, Julie and Julia got cooking with $20 million in ticket sales as Meryl Streep plays Julia Child.

Guess what... G.I. Joe was the favorite film for young men. And Julie and Julia was the number one pick for women older than 35.

Disney’s animated G-Force is third with nearly $10 million this weekend.